GROUND ZERO

Well, here is a timely topic. If you were alive or conscious we all remember when 911 happened. Can you remember the surrealistic nature of that moment? After all, this was America, and these things don't happen here. This kind of thing is only seen in foreign lands where they have little or no security, bad infrastructure, and uneducated simple people. A similar event was the bombing of the American marine base in Beirut Lebanon in the early nineteen eighties killing over 300 marines in their early morning sleep. The follow-up to this disaster was a total lack of action by the Regan administration after the bombing. There appeared to be no repercussions. We will never know what action was taken by the Regan administration. 300 plus highly trained U.S.Marines dead, and no response by our government. Odd?
My question is a simple question. Why have we all become expert in foreign policy and politics? Does the Internet really compensate for a real education; a higher education? I think not. Here's an amazing example. I know people who truly believe we, as a human race, are placed here by aliens. Planted, so to speak, to be harvested at a future date. Does this seem worthy of even a minute of your time? They think so because they have found others on the Internet who think this way. Does that make it valid? Does consensus really make something right? If I get a bigger number believing my way does that make my thinking valid even though there is no evidence to prove me right?
Many are now saying that the land at "Ground Zero" is hollowed. In a certain sense they have a point. This is the place where 3000 plus died, and were cremated. New York City is a very complex mix of cultures, and influences of many people worldwide mixing and nicely coexisting daily on the streets. Every block has a mix of diverse events happening side by side. This city is the only city of its kind in the world. This is not a typical American city, but a World city. A city whose annual budget is equal to a number of countries; roughly 40 billion dollars plus. Most of those killed in the attack by militant Islamic fanatics were not American citizens. Roughly about one-third were actual citizens of the United States of America. Somehow this place in downtown Manhattan is all about America and a rallying call for hatred. Hatred directed at the culture that produced those fanatical ignorant attackers. Ignoring the fact that all cultures are guilty of grave cruel acts upon others. We, as Americans, are no exception. The stupidity of this controversy around the building of an Islamic Cultural Center several blocks from Ground Zero is that a whole culture is being blamed for the actions of these few. Also, this blame is absurdly being heaped upon roughly one-third of the worlds' population who are followers of the Islamic tradition.
My interest is in who is fomenting this serious polarizing of cultures? What would be the benefit of this worldwide situation if this polarizing were successful? Also, who would benefit by such a schism of cultures worldwide? Can you answer these questions? Islam is the fastest growing religion on the planet. Could this threaten some other interest group? Of course, this is an issue, and certainly of interest. Which vast natural resources(not just oil) fall within the borders of this faith and culture? This could also be of interest to the sincere researcher. These are age-old themes, and problems. However, now with the advent of the Internet and the coming together of cultures and beliefs on the "information highway" we have the possibility of a better, less sectarian, world culture. The younger generation worldwide is beginning to understand this possibility, and they will have to be the ones to implement the changeover into a world culture. Unity within diversity will be the better model for the future. This idea reflects a profound spiritual truth known in India for a very long time. "Achintya BedaBeda Tattva", I.E.inexplicably simultaneously one and yet different. Mysteriously there is no loss of identity, and yet a sense of unity beyond the differences. This allows for the diversity of human experience without having to conform to some model that excludes others. The founding fathers of the United States of America had this vision, and were careful to preserve this vision for the future avoiding a Theocracy with some exclusive idea. All were welcomed and encouraged to live peacefully without forcing their process of life on others. This is the American experiment and experience,and the only time in human history, that we know of, where this is possible. The Islamic Cultural Center is being developed to show that world the actual face of Islam, and encourage and contribute to the complex and inclusive landscape of New York City - a world city.